Assignment 2 (History of psychology)

This assignment reinforces the spotlight on Eugenics. It is designed to have you delve more

deeply into how psychological knowledge, practice, and influence have been used to support

eugenics, drawing on what assumptions, and with what effects.

You are asked to write a short essay (minimum 1200, maximum 1400 words, not including

abstract and reference list) in which you use concrete examples from the historical record of

psychology to explore the kinds of people psychologists have historically used their science and

practice to oppress/suppress. In the context of eugenics, this would mean the kinds of people

who have been viewed as eugenically undesirable or unfit. In your example, describe how

psychology was used to identify and sort a particular category of person (e.g., racialized,

developmentally delayed, etc.) according to eugenic logic. Then discuss some of the effects of

this work in the past, and how eugenic themes may seep into the present. How might eugenic

thinking manifest itself now, and how is psychology involved, if at all?

The essay requires research, reflection, and analysis. You should use APA format (use 12-pt

font, one-inch margins, double-spaced, a title page and 200-word abstract is required). You

must cite your course textbook, the assigned article by Yakoshko, and at least three

additional reputable sources (journal articles, books, book chapters, or scholarly on-line

sources) to flesh out your description and substantiate your analysis (see Suggested Resources

below any of these can count as outside sources).

You are encouraged to write in the active, first-person voice. That is, In this essay I will

describe….I will then analyze….to show that…..To conclude, I will outline…

For more resources about writing a strong essay, and using APA format

RUBRIC: This assignment is intentionally less structured than the first assignment. This affords you greater

flexibility in deciding how to structure your essay and builds on your experience.

As in the first essay, you are required to provide a 200-word abstract. This should tell the reader clearly

and succinctly what the essay is about _what topics does it address and what do you demonstrate

about these topics? This should be clearly written and conform to the 200-word limit (this is not included

in the overall word limit of 1200-1400 words).

The main body of the essay (about 80-85% of your essay) should then introduce and grapple with the

question of psychologys involvement in eugenics, in order to provide a historical analysis of what kinds of

people psychologists have used their science and practice to oppress/suppress. You should use concrete,

specific examples from the historical record of psychology in your discussion of this topic, and choose one

group/category of people to delve into more deeply. References should include a minimum of 3

reputable scholarly sources in addition to your course textbook and the Yakoshko article. The book by

Goddard and material from the eugenics archive website CAN count as outside sources. In your examples,

describe how psychology was used to identify and sort what kinds of people, and with what effects.

Preference will be given to detail and specificity. That is, it is preferable to discuss historical examples in

detail than to make vague statements unsubstantiated by sources.

In your conclusion (about 15-20% of your essay), discuss how eugenics or eugenically inspired thinking

and practice may seep into the present, and how (if?) psychology may be involved.

This essay will be graded holistically in terms of its overall organization and the degree to which it

addresses the above topics directly, thoughtfully, and using specific examples drawn from scholarly

sources. You will also be assessed on the clarity of your writing and your appropriate use of APA format.

Suggested Resources for this Assignment:

Consult the reference list of the Yokoshko article to get started on your search.

Also:

http://eugenicsarchive.ca/

Excellent, scholarly, on-line resource on the history of eugenicshttps://citymuseumedmonton.ca/2023/03/14/leilani-muir-and-eugenics-in-alberta/

Website about Leilani Muir, who underwent involuntary sterilization on the basis of a

supposedly low IQ test result, and the legacy of eugenics in Alberta.

https://www.uakron.edu/chp/education/exploring-heredity

Digital exhibit on eugenics, race, and intelligence testing

Goddard, H. (1920). Human efficiency and levels of intelligence. Princeton University Press (this

is available electronically through the Library:

https://books.scholarsportal.info/en/read?id=/ebooks/ebooks0/apa/2010-03-04/2/200605161)

Warning: there is some pretty offensive stuff here!

USING THE PREVIOUS PAPER YOU HAD WRITTEN FOR ME PLEASE MATCH THE TONE AND WRITING STYLE!!!!

ALSO PLEASE USE SOME OF THE SOURCES FOUND BELOW AND FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS EXPLICITLY!